p. 7 | STRANGE ALLIANCES by M. E. K.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 2, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 47.

STRANGE ALLIANCES.

By M. E. K.

NATIONAL jealousies and interests, like local politics, sometimes make strange bed-fellows. A few weeks ago the world was surprised to learn that Bulgaria had formed a close alliance with the sultan of Turkey. The Bulgarians, through the assistance of the powers, especially of Russia, have become partially independent of Turkey, and they have hoped for entire freedom, and a restoration of their nation to a place among the independent nations of Europe. Lately becoming convinced that they were being deceived by Russia and Austria, they suddenly changed front, and formed the present alliance with Turkey. M. Stoiloff, the Bulgarian premier, explained the change of policy by saying that he would kiss the hand of the sultan before he would abase himself before Europe.

Now there is a rumor of a more remarkable alliance than the one between Turkey and Bulgaria, even an alliance between Greece and Turkey. Greece is moved thereto by similar reasons to those which affected Bulgaria. She has lost faith in the powers, and well she may. She has learned that their boasted interest in her is measured by their own selfishness—"only this, and nothing more." An eminent Greek politician states the grievances of his people thus:—

"I openly accuse England of having reopened the Cretan question, of having enticed the Cretans to revolt, and of enticing Greece to send an expedition to the island. It was England that influenced the Ethnike Hetaira, using that society to threaten war to King George and the sultan. It was England, again, that prevented the execution of the measures suggested to prevent the war. It was England who encouraged us to fight, and treated us as if we were insane when the chances of war turned against us. . . . King George is a man of experience. He has steered Greece clear of all difficulties during thirty years. Would he have gone to war had he not counted upon England's aid? He knew that Russia opposed him, that France declared herself powerless to help him, that Germany and her emperor openly favored the Turk, and that it was foolish

to count upon the assistance of Austria and Italy, the allies of Germany."

Feeling ill-treated and deserted by England, who has always posed as the champion of liberty, Greece would be friendly with Turkey, and if Turkey would give up the war indemnity exacted from Greece, the latter country would enter into an alliance with Turkey, and place her fine fleet at the sultan's service to defend the Dardanelles should England attempt at any time to force a passage. Mohammedan Turkey with an allied Christian power upon each flank would 'certainly present a curious spectacle to the world.' But England and France have in the past both been in alliance with Turkey, and how could they complain?

The moral of all this is that each nation looks out for itself, and humanitarian and religious principles are invariably subordinated to the earthly and selfish desires which all nations, no matter what religion they profess, possess in common. But I ought to except one nation,—'the righteous nation which keepeth the truth.' Those who compose this nation are always true to principle, and make no alliances for selfish purposes. They have entered into a covenant agreement to 'fear God and keep his commandments,'—to serve and obey him. They have 'no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.' Reader, do you belong to this nation? M. E. K.